book week!

I have had so many books I have wanted to share on this blog, ones that I would recommend as gifts or family read-alouds or new discoveries... and I decided this is the week!

We'll begin today. Have you ever read anything by Patricia Polacco?!! She is brand new to me, but clearly not new to the world of children's publishing. She has over 100 books out there!! I randomly discovered one of her books from a trip to the library and it was all about a Family Reunion called When Lightening Comes in a Jar. The story was so pleasing to me. It lifted up the importance of family traditions and hearing the same stories over and over again and listening to the older generation. I just loved it.

So I did an author search at our library and requested every book in our library system by Patricia Polacco. I have been reading her books all month and they do not disappoint.

She is the author and illustrator and the books are largely stories taken from her own life or her ancestors. They all focus on the importance of family or other close relationships and I am absolutely in love.

My top favorites:
Fiona's Lace. I cried. And then when I retold the story to Rory I cried again.
An A from Miss Keller. All about the hardest teacher in the school and having to work hard but feeling grateful after. Also made me cry.
The Mermaid's Purse. All about good books and community.
Clara and Davie. About young Clara Barton who founded the American Red Cross.
Mr. Wayne's Masterpiece. Her story of being too shy to read in front of her class and the teachers that helped her overcome her stage fright.
Tucky Jo and Little Heart. Incredible. You will hardly believe the ending.

I am so glad she has 100 more books for me to read! They are long and have a lot of text. The pictures are captivating, mostly because you know this is what these people actually looked like...they are characters from her own life. And her storytelling is masterful. I hope she writes 100 more.

So enjoy! There is no need to have to have kids to read these books! I read many after bedtime to myself. They ring of what is right and good and true. They're a breath of fresh air.

lake city

Earlier in August we met up with Rory's folks for a day in Lake City. This summer has been a change of pace for two big reasons... #1: Alden. A little baby will slow you down a bit. And #2: Animals. We can't really go anywhere overnight without a whole lot of details to be passed off to someone else. So I am trying to work within the parameters of a day. Where can we go and what can we do for a day of vacation that will have us back home by 7. Lake City is one of those places.

Alden and I were, in fact, on this trip, but I don't have any pictures of us! Ha! But aren't these darling of the others? My kids are getting so big and it catches me off guard. Like every day.

We played at the playground and ate incredible donuts. And most hilariously, we took a picture (that must be on Rory's phone) while eating the donuts and gathered on one side of the picnic table. Which lifted the other side of the picnic table high into the air. Somehow we didn't tip completely on our backs, but it was so close. And slow motion. We laughed hard after the fact. Then we went out for lunch and then got on the Pearl of the Lake, a big paddle boat that takes you around Lake Pepin for 2 hours. It was an unusual fallish day for early August and windy on the boat. But it was nice to be on the water. I'd say we would love LOVED it if it was a one hour boat ride. ;)

Then we went to Redwing for ice cream and walked around a bit. It was a great day and as always, I can't wait to get back to that big water.

quick! before church!

Sunday morning we all ended up wearing some sort of blue in our outfit and I wanted a picture of me and the kids before we loaded in the minivan. So we got all lined up, but then Richard the chicken came walking by and Hattie doesn't really like chickens after our big grey rooster charged at her when she unknowingly cornered him into the raspberries. So Richard came walking by and Hattie started to panic and these are the best pictures Rory captured of that morning. In the end, they are pretty much more true and honest  of my time with my kids than all four kids and me smiling at the camera. 

grandma's gladiolas

My mom arranged gladiolas for competition again this year at the State Fair in the horticultural building. I used to do this with her before I started having kids...and one day I hope to join back in. Largely for the fair food and the excuse to get to be at the fair for two days. But also because I love the creativity you get to tap into as you play with beautiful flowers. 

After the Flower Show, my mom will bring many of her arrangements home, take them apart (the bottom flowers on the glads are often dead) and then make new arrangements to give away. But even better, she brings all the supplies for her grandkids to make their own arrangements. 

Ivar made his in a dump truck, so I think that's why Elsie made hers in a wagon... But they loved playing with the oasis (the green foam that you stick flowers in, filled with water to keep them alive) and were very, very proud of their gorgeous creations. 

And Alden was just happy to see grandma and tell her all about his day.

a hug from Hattie